Many people are told by their doctor to get more exercise. Dr. Theresa Wee wanted to do better than that. For the past year she has invited her patients, friends and, really, anybody who wants to show up to walk with her on Saturday mornings.

The Walk With a Doc program is free. It began in February last year and goes on, rain or shine.

They meet at 8 a.m. near the tennis courts at Central Oahu Regional Park. On average, about 30 people show up, a mix of regulars and new walkers.

Some come from as far as the Windward side. Visitors who are familiar with the Walk With a Doc program in other states look up the Oahu walk and come to enjoy a morning stroll in the Hawaii sunshine.

Wee’s husband, Martin Arinaga, helps organize the walks. He passes out waivers for walkers to sign — basic stuff like agreeing that they’re healthy enough to participate, will take any health tips as “general knowledge” not intended to replace a visit with their own doctor, and saying that it’s OK to take pictures and video during the walk.

The photo release is important because the walkers love selfies. Myrna Villegas, one of the regulars, is out there with her glitter phone case and selfie stick snapping pictures, shooting videos, giddily documenting every step.

“My passion is preventing pediatric obesity,” Wee says, between posing for snaps with Myrna. “But parents and grandparents are the ones who decide a child’s schedule, so if they become more active, that positively affects the kids.”

The morning starts with a brief warm-up, some simple stretches and a health tip from Wee.

This past Saturday’s health tip was a reminder to eat mindfully, chew thoroughly and stop before you’re full.

“You shouldn’t eat until it hurts,” Wee says. There are some guilty chuckles of recognition in the group.

Then, walkers set out on the path through the park, the only instruction being to go “as far as your legs will take you for 40 minutes.” Most walk in groups where there’s plenty of socialization. And selfies.

Afterward, Arinaga offers cups of water and a snack of bananas.

Often, a guest instructor offers a small sample of some other form of exercise, like hula, Zumba or tai chi.

Kay Lee has been showing up for the walk since the very beginning.

“It makes you get up on Saturday. It gets you going,” Lee said.

Laura Takara started coming earlier this year. “It’s nonthreatening, the way she talks about health tips. It’s inspirational,” Takara said.

“People tell me that, for the first time, their cholesterol numbers went down, their diabetes is in better control,” Wee said. “They talk about the satisfaction of doing something positive.”

Wee smiles at the slightly sweaty group posing for more photos at the end of the one-hour event.

“Walking is not hard,” she says. “The hard part is actually putting on your shoes and getting out the door.”

Reach Lee Cataluna at 529-4315 or lcataluna@staradvertiser.com.